Victoria County seeking federal help to prevent future flood damage

COUNTY PLANVictoria County is seeking a federal grant of $184,200 to repair flood damage caused by the May flood.

The county would have to provide a 25-percent match, but that could include its cost of providing equipment and workers.

Repairs would include improvements to reduce the chance of future damage.

Flood damage to tax-financed property and structures experienced in May would be less likely in future storms if Victoria County is successful getting a federal grant.

The commissioners court voted Monday to apply for a $184,200 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

It would be used to repair damage to two culverts and a washout caused by the May 15 flood that deluged parts of Victoria County. Those repairs would include improvements to prevent future damage.

"We looked at nearly two dozen potential projects, ranging in cost from $5,000 or $10,000 all the way up to a half million dollars," said Jeb Lacey, the Victoria County emergency management coordinator. "These were the three projects that were approved by the engineer from the state."

The culverts are on Fordtran Road and within about one-fourth of a mile of each other.

"The headwalls have washed out on them," said Richard McBrayer, the deputy emergency management coordinator. "So they're going to do headwall repairs and install new downstream gravel, riprap and plunge pools."

The downstream improvements would be designed to reduce erosion. The earthen headwalls that were damaged in May will be replace with timber headwalls.

The washout on Winding Way Drive is near Strobel Road, where there is a 10- to 15-foot drop in elevation over about 150 yards, McBrayer said. The improvement would involve reducing the velocity of the water flow to cut erosion.

The county would be required to come up with a 25-percent match for the grant. McBrayer said the match would include the cost of using county equipment and workers.